George Clooney puts safety first as he buys new motorcycle helmet... after wearing illegal one for monthsBy Daily Mail ReporterPUBLISHED: 00:38 GMT, 1 August 2012 | UPDATED: 00:43 GMT, 1 August 2012

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..It seems George Clooney is putting safety before style.The Hollywood heartthrob appears to have invested in a new motorcycle helmet - having previously worn a World War 2 style helmet which was made illegal in Italy two years ago.George, 51, has been spotted wearing the non-regulation hat while out riding his favourite Harley Davidson bike around the roads of Lake Como, where he is currently on an extended vacation.

How's that for size: George Clooney rides around Italy's Lake Como with a new helmet - after being warned his former one had been made illegal in Italy two years ago

Easy Rider: The actor, 51, spotted earlier this month wearing his non-regulation World War 2-style helmet

But today he was seen on a scooter wearing a new helmet.It comes after Italy's traffic police safety association, ASAPS, posted on their website that Clooney was breaking the law and urged him to get rid of the illegal helmet.In an article on its website they said: 'Do us a favour, George, and buy a good helmet,' adding that he was risking a fine and a possible serious or even fatal injury before going onto say he was failing as a role model, as it alluded to his ER character Dr Doug Ross.

Cruising around: The actor is on an extended vacation in Lake Como where he has been since June

It said: 'Of all the messages that our beloved Doug could send as a front-line doctor who should be familiar with the smashed heads of bikers in Chicago this is perhaps the worst.'George's old helmet was similar to German World War Two military helmets.They are not seen as 100 per cent safe by authorities and the maximum penalty is a 300Euro fine - as well as having the offender's motorbike impounded for a period of up to three months.

Downgrading: The actor swapped his Harley Davidson motorbike for a scooter for his outing today

Clooney, star of ER and the Ocean's series, has been on holiday at his waterside villa at Laglio on the shores of beautiful Lake Como with girlfriend Stacey Keibler since June.They have also entertained their respective parents as their year-long relationship continues.

Five years ago Clooney was involved in a motorbike accident with his then girlfriend Sarah Larson in New Jersey when they were hit by a car.

Wings: George seemed to take his afternoon on a hydroplane in his stride and gave a cheeky wave to photographers

Although both were wearing helmets Clooney suffered a hairline fracture to his rib while Larson broke her foot.Three years earlier Clooney's favoured bodyguard Giovanni Zeqireya was also injured when a car hit them as they were touring around southern Italy with the actor coming heroically to his rescue and coordinating initial first aid until an ambulance arrived.Yesterday George spent the day messing around on a hydroplane, driving a speedboat - and in a top of the range Mercedes in Italy - to provide footage for a commercial to be used in the European country.